2. amps-preamps
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Pass Aleph 1.2s.... Anyone familiar

Has anybody heard the Pass Aleph 1.2s and more importantly compared them to any other amps of similar quality. How to they compare to the mark levinson 33hs for instance? Everyone i know who has heard both perfers the Alephs but that is all of two people. Any comparisons with other amps would be appreciated. Lastly would they be powerful enough to drive a full range (19 hz) 90.5 db sensitive speaker to very loud levels? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
lordgorian
mikeam
122 posts
 
I owned the Aleph 1.2's for a short period. They are fantastic and I have also heard the Levinson 33H. I say IMHO forget the 33H, it is not nearly as musical or emotionally invoving as the Aleph. Actually I'll be honest, after hearing nearly the Levinson ref sys (have not heard the 33 monos) I find it all just terribly bad sounding. I just got a 31.5 which I think is perhaps the worst sounding transport I have ever had in my home... Oh, yeah back to you :) I also owned the Talon Audio Khourus at the time I had the Aleph 1.2. I did not think there was a synergy there. The 1.2 did not seem to have the intestinal fortitude if you will to drive that speaker correctly. This came across as a closed in sound with less than stellar dynamics. I hear great things concerning the Talon gear and either the Pass Labs X350 or X600 monos.

Holiday Wishes,

Mike M
subaruguru
1,374 posts
 
I have Aleph 2 monos (100/200 8/4) driven by a P, and find it thoroughly effortless with an 88dB/1w speaker with a 4 ohm woofer quite flat to 30Hz in room.

The lowish imput impedence DOES preclude passive use, IMO.
Using a P also allows running balanced with longish ICs at no sacrifice. The combination, even with my unshielded Red Dawn (Alephs LOVE Nordost) ICs the setup is DEAD quiet. Phew!

Can't imagine the 1.2 wouldn't drive your speakers handsomely....

Also, the P drives my Sennheiser 600 well right off the RCAs.
mikeam
122 posts
 
I am not trying to be a smarty pants by saying this, but... I understand Subaruguru's point of "Can't imagine the 1.2 wouldn't drive your speakers handsomely....", however, I owned the 1.2 and the Khourus thus I do not have to imagine, it is not a good combination for the reason I stated in the prior post.

Best regards,

Mike M
subaruguru
1,374 posts
 
Mikeam, certainly your empiricism is compelling...wonder if there's something unusually cruel about that speaker's impedence curve?
mikeam
122 posts
 
I don't think it is so much the impedence curve. More than likely it simply the motor structure of the 2 10" drivers in the Khourus (Can't speak directly about the Peregrine). The Khourus(I am assuming the Peregrine will display similar traits of its' big brother) has a very stiff cone structure. The speaker seems to simpy love current and lots of it.

BEst regards,

Mike M.
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